Grand Culinary Arrangements at Kadapa Mahanadu with 30 Dishes Daily

Wherever the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) holds its annual Mahanadu convention, elaborate feasts have always been a key feature. This tradition stems from the party's founder, the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, who was known for his love of food. In keeping with his tastes, grand meals have been arranged for the delegates and guests attending the event. This year’s three-day Mahanadu, being held in Kadapa, continues this legacy, with an enticing menu that includes non-vegetarian dishes—a notable inclusion after a long time.

Thirty Varieties of Dishes Each Day

Irrespective of where Mahanadu takes place, food arrangements are given special attention. In the ongoing celebrations at Kadapa, traditional Telugu sweets such as Atreyapuram Pootharekulu, Tapeswaram Kaja, and Bandar Laddu are being served alongside beloved regional dishes like dal, sambar, Ulava Charu (horse gram soup), milk-based sweets, and sugar pongal. Modern delicacies like apple halwa, veg Jaipuri, and kadai vegetable kurma have also been added to the menu. Approximately 30 different dishes are being prepared each day for the attendees.

The party has taken these food arrangements seriously, especially considering the thousands of delegates traveling from across the two Telugu states. Signature dishes and sweets from various regions of the state are being specially featured. To prepare this grand feast, a team of 2,000 culinary experts has been working around the clock. On May 28, which marks the birth anniversary of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, the team will prepare some of his favorite dishes such as milk sweets, badam burfi, bobbatlu, and sugar pongal.

For the Non-Vegetarian Enthusiasts Too

A representative from the Mahanadu food committee stated, “We have been managing the food arrangements for Mahanadu since 2014. This year, for the Kadapa Mahanadu, we arrived ten days early with 2,000 workers and have been executing breakfast, meals, and other activities as per the committee’s directions. Over these three days, in addition to sweets like Tapeswaram Kaja, Allurayya Mysore Pak, sugar pongal, and halwa, we are serving non-vegetarian dishes such as gongura chicken biryani, dosakaya mutton, Andhra-style chicken curry, and daily egg fry to cater to the preferences of Rayalaseema attendees. We have also ensured the vegetarian options are equally flavorful, aiming to make the Mahanadu a resounding success.”

Extensive Arrangements and Dedicated Sheds

To accommodate the large number of guests, five massive hangars have been set up exclusively for food service. Two of these are allocated for party leaders and workers, each with seating capacity for 3,500 people at a time. Another hangar has been arranged for ministers, MPs, MLAs, and senior party leaders, while a separate facility has been created for distinguished guests and life members attending the event.

Meals are being arranged for approximately 30,000 people daily, with contingency provisions to serve an additional 10,000 if required. On the final day of the Mahanadu, which includes a large public meeting, the organizers have planned meals for nearly 300,000 attendees. Specifically, arrangements have been made to serve 75,000 people along the Kadapa–Chittoor route, 35,000 on the Pulivendula route, 30,000 on the Rajampet route, and 50,000 on the Nandyal route.